Surgical splint



No. 620,556. Patented Feb. 28, I899.

- n. w. BARTON.

SURGICAL SPLINT.

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By J I A TTOHNE rs.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT WHITE BARTON, OF MARION, ARKANSAS.

SURGICAL SPLINT.

srnoIE'IoArrIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,556, datedFebruary 28, 1899. Application filed August 25, 1893. Serial No.689,495. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT WHITE BAR- TON, residing at Marion, in thecounty of Grittenden and State of Arkansas, have invented anew andImproved Surgical Splint, of which the following is a specification.

Primarily this invention is designed to provide a simple and novel formof splint, more particularly adapted for use in the treatment ofcompound and comminuted fractures.

This invention also comprehends an improved construction of splint inwhich extensibility can be readily eflfected without rearrangin g thebandage and without the use of weights.

In its more specific character my improvement is in the nature of animmobile antoexpansion splint immobile for the reason that it maintainsa permanent and fixed position when applied, auto-extension because itmaintains a proper natural extension of limbs or other parts injured ina manner demanding its application without the use'of weights or otheroontrivances such as is commonly needed to secure the proper extensionof the injured limb.

Although my improvement is more particularly designed for use in thetreatment of compound and compound comminuted fractures, the same isalso applicable for treating fractures of arms or hands or other partsof the anatomy of man or beast in cases where the fracture of the boneis complicated with injury to the soft tissues, (flesh,) requiring notalone the proper setting of the bones and maintenance thereof, but atthe same time a proper exposure of the wound of the flesh, whereby thesame can be properly and advantageously treated.

My invention consists generally of a splint comprising two sections orbase portions of suitable pliable material adapted to be readily securedin proper position on the limb at the point necessary and at oppositesides of the line of fracture and a bridge portion connecting the twopliable sections in such manner as to maintain them in an immovableposition after proper adjustment, whereby the surface of the woundedportion can be left free for treatment without in the least affectingthe setting of the splint.

In its subordinate features my invention comprises a novel constructionand arrangement of parts, which will be first described in detail'andthen specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 illustrates myinvention as ap'- plied for use. Fig. 2 is a View illustrating themanner in which the base membersof my improved splint are made fast tothe limb. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the simplest form of myimproved splint, and Fig. 4 illustrates my splint as having extensiblebridge portions.

In its practical construction my improved splint comprises a baseportion formed of two sections separately held, but united to andcomposing a part of the complete splint-body.

In its simplest form the splint has two base members 1 1, which are heldin alinement, but separated to form an intervening space 2, the purposeof which will presently appear. The members 1 1 are formed of a toughpliable material, preferably leather, for the reason that when applied,either after soaking in water or not, it adjusts itself to the contourof any limb portion in either a normal or swollen state. Whenmade ofleather, the same is to be of good. sound dressed material of aboutone-eighth of an inch in thickness, becauseof its great resistance onthe stronger limb portions. I I

While I have found it more desirable to make the base members 1 1 ofleather, I desire it understood that they can be formed of any othersuitable tough or pliable material which will readily give to thecontour of that portion of the limb to which it is applied.

The bridge portions, which connect the members 1 1*, consist each ofangle-brackets 2, having base portions 3, vertical shanks 3 andhorizontally-threaded extensions 3 The members 3 are fitted in slots 1?,formed in the adjacent ends of the-pliable. base members 1 1 and havingtheir base portions 3 fixedly secured to the lower faces of the members1 1 by the studs 3, which pass up from the base portion 3 through theleather members 1 1 their upper ends being threaded to receive clampnuts or washers 4:, which may be in the nature of thumb-screws orslotted head members.

In its simplest form the horizontal mem at opposite sides of the line offlesh wound and made firm and immovable by fitting plas ter-of-parisbandages in the usual way of applying such bandages in simple fractures.In fractures of the thigh or at the knee the pliable base members 1 lextend over and cover the knee well and the plaster bandages made heavyby'careful and increased quantity, the

same treatment being also employed at the ankle and foot to especiallyguard against any movement of the joints. This arrangement gives acontinuous splint that will hold a fractured limb either straight or atany angle desired by the attending surgeon. In operation after thefracture is properly reduced the fractured limb is also properlyextended.

It will be observed that when applied my improved splint by reason ofthe bridge portion furnishes the severed continuity of theplaster-of-paris portion and simply maintains immovably the extensionsecured at reduction and becomes an immobile ante-extension splint,because it is stable and of itself maintains a proper extension of theinjured limb.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated my improvement as having an adjustablebridge. In this construction the central or apertured portion 5 is inthe nature of a turnbuckle having right and left screw-threads engagingthe threaded ends of the horizontal portions 3 on the brackets 3. Thisadjustment permits of the splint being broadened or contracted as theextent of flesh wound (with view of proper drainage and treatment)justifies.

In the practical application of my invention a three-inch bridge orbracket piece by the use of the turnbuckle can be extended to fiveinches, a four-inch to six inches, a fiveinch to seven inches, 850.,without in the slightest impairing its utility, as the turnbuckle can becut sufficiently deep to stand more pressure up and down than will beplaced by proper use of the nut or of the ends of the bracket members.It will be understood the bridge portion can be made of any suitable apad of absorbent cotton or surgical gauze or lambs wool, which paddingis allowed to extend a few inches below the termination of leatherremote from the wound, so that the abruptness or unevenness at the endof the leather may be overcome to guard against cracking of theplasterof-paris. A two-inch or narrower bandage of flannel covers theentire base members of the splint. This narrower bandage must, however,not be longer than necessary to make a roll of two inches in diameter,so that when the brackets are reached in bandaging the said bandage canreadily be passed under and between such brackets, making a figure-8 tiearound the respective ends of the brackets, whereby to draw themtogether and prevent spreading. A narrower plaster bandage is also usedover leather and at the endsof the brackets for the same reason.

My improvement provides a simple means for furnishing the severedcontinuity of plaster-of-paris bandages without in the slightestimpairing the efficacy of the bandage as a whole and without interferingwith a proper treatment of the wound at the point of separa* tion of thebandage-sections. It is manifest that the same can be used at any pointwhere a plaster bandage is applicable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is'

1. A surgical splint, consisting of separated pads arranged forattachment to a limb by bandages, and an angular rigid bridge-piecehaving two vertical members, and a horizontal member connecting saidvertical members, the latter being rigidly attached at their lower endsto each pad whereby to hold the horizontal member above the outer faceof the pads, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A surgical splint, consisting of separated pads arranged forattachment to a limb by bandages, and an angular rigid bridge-piecehaving two vertical members and an extensible horizontal memberconnecting said verti cal members, the said vertical members beingrigidly attached at their lower ends to each pad whereby to hold thehorizontal member above the outer face of the pads, as and for thepurpose set forth.

3. A surgical splint, consisting of a pair of juxtaposed and separatedpads arranged for attachment to a limb by bandages, said pads beingformed with slots in their adjacent edges, and angular bridge-piecesprovided with outwardly-extending ends by which they are attached to theinner face of said pads in the rear of said slots, vertical membersextending through said slots to and beyond the opposite face of thepads, and a horizontal member supported by said vertical members abovethe last-named face of the pads, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A surgical splint, consisting of a pair of juxtaposed and separatedpads formed with slots in their adjacent edges, angular bridgepiecesprovided with outwardly-extending too ends by which they are attached tothe inner being oppositely screw-threaded, and a turnface of said padsin the rear of said slots, verbuckle connecting said ends, as and forthe 0 tical members extending through said slots purpose set forth.

contiguous to the rear wall thereof to and be- ROBERT WHITE BARTON. 5yond the opposite face of said pads, and hori- Witnesses:

zontal members supported by said vertical RICHARD A. GLADNEY,

members, the said latter members being sepa- FRANK G. BARTON,

rated between its ends, and the adjacent end ALLISON B. RIVEs. P

